Float valve



d, l, 1935. J, 1 STEFANCIN 2,016,183

FLOAT VALVE Filed July 1'7, 1954 fare/vk 7: OR

y Bymzww@ Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

'Ihe invention relates toa float valve and more especially to a quick-acting float valve for water tanks of lavatory bowls.

'I'he primary object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, wherein the main float which controls the inlet valve for the filling of the tank of a lavatory bowl is supplemented by an auxiliary float, the latter serving to hold the arm of the main float in a position that the inlet valve will be maintained fully open, so as to allow the lling of the tank quickly, and thereafter the inlet valve will be instantly closed on the water reaching a predetermined level within the tank.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, wherein the float arrangement is novel in construction and will assure against the vibration of the inlet valve or the seeping of water past the same into a water tank of a lavatory bowl after the water has reached a predetermined level within the tank and a quick filling of the tank is assured without noises as are common with valve and iloat mechanisms employed in the water tanks of lavatory bowls.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character, wherein the same is operated upon on the inflow of water Within a tank of a lavatory bowl, so that it will be maintained in full open position until the water level has been reached within the bowl and thereafter instant `closing of the inlet valve is had, the float assembly being capable of adjustment to vary the quick closing of the inlet valve upon the water reaching a predetermined level within the tank.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a valve of this character which is comparatively simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and eifective for its purposes, readily and easily applied to the tank for a lavatory bowl, automatic in its working, strong, durable, readily and easily adjusted, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a water tank arrangement for lavatory bowls showing the float valve constructed in accordance with the invention applied thereto, the Valve being shown fully open by full lines and by dotted lines closed.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View.

Figure 3 is a sectional View on the line 3 3 of 5 Figure l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the parts in adjusted position or in a dilerent position from that shown in Figure 3.

Similar reference characters indicate corre- 10 sponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates the vertical water feed pipe, B the delivery pipe for the water tank of a lavatory bowl and C the 15 overfiow pipe, these being conventional in standard makes of water tanks. Likewise associated with the delivery pipe B is an inlet valve I0, it being opened and closed by a trigger II pivoted at I2, the valve IIJ being also of any approved 20 form and susceptible of adjustment by a set screw I3 carried by the trigger I 2.

Fitted with the delivery pipe Bat the valve end thereof is a hanger- I fl. to which is pivoted the swinging arm I5 of a main float (not shown) 25 which functions to close the valve IU on the water admitted to the tank reaching a predetermined level therein. This arm I5, at the end engaged by the pivot I6, has formed thereon a striker I'I which operates upon the trigger I2 for effecting 30 the closing of the valve I0, this being clearly illustrated in Figure l of the drawing.

Mounted upon the overiiow pipe C, at the proper height required, is a split ring-like clamp I8 having a pivot lug I9 at one side thereof, and 35 to this lug is swingingly connected the inner section 23 of an auxiliary float arm, its outer section 2l being adjustably engaged with the section 2U through the clutch cheeks 22 common to both sections and the binding section 23. 40 rIhe outer section 2| is formed with an eye 24 for engaging the stem 25 `of an auxiliary float 26, the eye 24 being fitted with a set screw 21 which adjustably secures the stem 25 therein to permit the auxiliary float 26 to vary its action on the 45 rise of the water within the tank.

The clamp I8 has a pivot lug 28 to which is pivoted a latch 29, the same having a fork 30 receiving the arm I5 of the main float, the latch being engageable with a keeper 3l formed on a 50 swinging cam 32 pivoted at 33 and this cam is of loop form, having trained therethrough the sections -20 and 2l constituting the arm of the auxiliary float 26, so that this arm will act upon the cam 32 to have the keeper 3l thereof release 55 the latch 29 which, through the fork 30, will hold the arm I of the main float in a determined position after the Water Within the tank has risen to a determined height, and thus -on the release of said main float the valve l0 will quickly close, but prior to the release of said main float this valve l0 Will be sustained in full open position and thus the tank will ll with water with rapidity.

It should be apparent that the main float rises on the initial filling of the tank with Water and thus during this shift the valve I0 will be in full open position until the auxiliary float becomes active to release the main float at a determined level, Whereas, on the further rise of said main float, the valve ID Will be quickly closed.

The overflow pipe C has communicating therewith an excess flow pipe 34, this being common to standard makes of oat valve assemblies in Water tanks for lavatory bowls.

The oat valve assembly as hereinbefore described Will operate noiselessly and Will assure a positive and quick closing of the inlet valve and Ythe maintenance of this valve in full open position until the tank becomes lled with Water at a predetermined level therein.

The auxiliary float arrangement will eliminate valve seat grinding WhichV is caused by water seeping through a slow-closing ball cock Valve, this Wearing away in spots the valve seat. Also, the auxiliary float prolongs the life of the washer in the inlet valve as this washer Wears away much quicker or faster in a slow-closing ball cock valve.

What is claimed is:

In a valve of the kind described, a Water inlet valve, a vertically swinging main float means controlling the opening and closing of said inlet Valve, a clamp for adjustable connection with Ian overflow pipe of a Water tank and having pivot lugs at right angles to each other, an auxiliary float arm swingingly connected to one of the lugs for disposition at one side and parallel with the main ioat means and having an adjustable t portion, a forked lever pivotally connected to the other lug and having its fork straddling the main float means, a latching tip at the pvoted end of the forked lever, and a loop-like cam pivotally supported next to the latching tip for encircling the auxiliary oat arm to be controlled thereby and having a keeper releasably engaged by the latching tip of the forked lever.

JOSEPH J. STEFANCIN. 

